How To Declutter Pet Supplies & Toys

Today's mission is to declutter pet supplies and pet toys from your home.

This mission is designed to be done while working through the Organize Pet Supplies Challenge here on the site, which is one of the 52 Week Organized Home Challenges.

Of course, you can do this mission at any time when you feel it is necessary in your home.

In addition, as always, when I suggest that you declutter these pet related items in your home, I'm not telling you to get rid of all of them. After all, our pets are part of our families, and we don't want (and can't) get rid of all the items we've gotten for them.

However, as with all other family members, with time our pets can accumulate a lot of stuff, and to the extent some of it isn't used anymore, and not needed, it is clutter and it should be removed from your home.

Today, as you work through the mission the first step is to gather up everything into one place for your pets, which allows you to see what you've got.

Once you see everything you've got it will be much easier for you to make decisions about what you and your pet(s) need for you to keep, and what is excess.

Types Of Pet Supplies To Consider Decluttering

Here are some of the main types of items you should at least

evaluate, to decide what to keep versus to declutter.

Old or broken toys (or those too dirty to be played with anymore)

Pet carriers or cages which are no longer used, or broken

Treats or pet food your pets don't like or won't eat (or are old or expired)

Items your pet has outgrown, such as items for a puppy or kitten, but now the pet is fully grown

Grooming items

Pet medications (that are expired, no longer needed, or unable to be used)

Leashes and collars

Waste disposal items

Items from pets you no longer own

This last type of item to declutter, from pets you no longer own, can often be the hardest type of pet supplies decluttering to do, and I want you to know you're not alone in struggling with that task.

If your pet recently needed to be placed in another home, or passed away, you can and should give yourself time to grieve before you take on this task.

Are You Ready To Get Rid Of Pet Clutter?

This photo above was sent in by another reader, Kellyann, after working on this mission. She said, "Our 'junk drawer' was actually the dogs' stuff. We have a little 'desk nook' in our kitchen that we use for the dogs' stuff. Water bowls stay in the opening underneath. We decluttered a ton and will donate items to anyone with a new puppy. Or the shelter if there are no takers."

After You Declutter Next You Should Organize!

After you get rid of any clutter, the next step is to organize.

Along with reading the challenge article mentioned at the beginning of this article, I've also created a Pet Organization Hall of Fame article which showcases reader pics from those who have finished working through the challenge.

Check it out at the link to get yourself inspired, and get more real life pet organization ideas.

I hope seeing these pictures has inspired you to get rid of your excess pet related clutter.

When you begin to declutter the feeling you get is contagious, so if you're loving the results you're getting I would encourage you to keep going.

Just pick and choose the ones you want to do, that will make a big impact in your home. But if you want someone else to tell you the order you can also grab the 15 minute daily decluttering mission calendars and follow along as we all get our homes clutter free together!

Let me help you put the pieces of your home puzzle together. Join over 160,000 others and get tips, articles and organizing challenges sent directly to your inbox to help you get your house in order. Plus, you'll get a free 12 month declutter calendar for 2018!